Lord Plumer, Former High Commissioner of Palestine, Dies at Age of Seventy-six

July 18, 1932

LONDON (Jul. 16)

Field Marshal Lord Herbert Plumer, High Commissioner in Palestine from 1925 to 1928, died early this morning at the age of seventy-six, after an illness of several months.

In February, Viscount Plumer submitted to a serious operation from which he never recovered.

The afternoon press here devotes considerable space to the announcement of Viscount Plumer’s demise. It recalls his career as a Field Marshal and his High Commissionership.

The period of his incumbency of the Palestine post is stated to be the only period when complete tranquility existed in Palestine.

Lord Plumer was named High Commissioner by the British government without consultation with the World Zionist Organization, but his naming was approved and he was regarded as desirous of being fair to the aspirations of the Zionists.

He came to the post after service as the first Commander of the Fifth Army Corps and then of the Second Army of the British Expeditionary Force in France. After that he commanded the expeditionary force in Italy.

From 1921 to 1924, he served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief at Malta. In 1925, he succeeded Sir Herbert Samuel, the first High Commissioner of Palestine.

In 1929, when the Arab riots occurred, it was generally pointed out that the excesses would not have occurred had Lord Plumer been in office.